Semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer

ABSTRACT

A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system conveniently useable in an emergency to deliver the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber quickly, reliably, and with a single impulse of manual force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) opening the medication capsule with a simple opening action; and (b) inhaling the nebulized medication. The nebulizer can be operated without disassembling the nebulizer housing so as to expose the nebulizing chamber and without manually opening the liquid medication container and, without spillage and without manual pouring of the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber, and without reassembling the nebulizer housing before positioning the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.12/217,406, filed on Jul. 3, 2008, which application is a continuationin part of application Ser. No. 11/901,628, filed Sep. 18, 2007, whichapplications are incorporated by reference herein. This applicationclaims priority in part under 35 U.S.C. §120 therefrom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a conventional nebulizer having a novelintegral structure for conveniently delivering a dose of liquidmedication to the conventional nebulizer's conventional nebulizingchamber

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pulmonary medication may be needed by persons with breathing problems ina hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthma attack is desperateto get medication. Often a single-shot hand-held rescue inhaler ismedically inappropriate for treatment. In such cases, a mistingnebulizer is needed. A misting nebulizer is an air pump device with asmall plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior art requires thenebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to the chamber, thechamber closed and the pump started. The problem is that this series ofsteps requiring steady hands and manual dexterity may be difficult toachieve for an asthma attack sufferer who may be panicking becausehe/she can't breathe. Pulmonary medication may be needed by persons withbreathing problems in a hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthmaattack is desperate to get medication. A nebulizer is an air pump devicewith a small plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior artrequires the nebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to thechamber, the chamber closed and the pump started.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a devicefor quickly and conveniently delivering a dose of liquid medication tothe nebulizing chamber of a conventional nebulizer in an emergency.

It is a further object of the invention to provide reliable nebulizedmedication to a user in an emergency.

It is a further object of the invention to provide emergency nebulizedmedication to a user where the user is already in acute respiratorydistress at the time the user locates the conventional nebulizer and hasno person to assist with following the steps required to conventionallynebulize medication, to with: (1) to disassemble the nebulizer housingso as to expose the nebulizing chamber; (2) to locate a containercapsule of liquid medication to be nebulized; (3) to open the liquidmedication container, being careful not to spill it; (4) to squeeze thecontainer capsule and to pour the liquid medication directly into thenebulizing chamber without losing any of it through spilling outside ofthe nebulizer chamber; (5) to reassemble the nebulizer housing; and (6)to position the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale thenebulized medication.

It is a further object of the present invention to simplify theconventional procedure required to be followed by the user of amedication nebulizer, which conventional procedure may be criticallycomplex for a person suffering from acute respiratory distress at thetime the user locates the conventional nebulizer.

It is a further object of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a simplified reliable process for deploying a doseof liquid medication in a nebulizer, comprising the steps of (1) deploythe medication with a single twist of a screw cap; and (2) inhale thenebulized medication.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novelmedication dose delivery device built-in and integrated with aconventional nebulizer to accomplish the result of simplified reliabledelivery of the liquid medication to the conventional nebulizing chamberby convenient user deployment without the need to disassemble andreassemble the nebulizer and to open and pour liquid medication at thetime of an acute respiratory emergency.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide aconventional nebulizer having a stored single dose of liquid medicationdirectly on board and integral with the conventional nebulizer inloaded-gun arrangement in preparation for use in an acute respiratoryemergency.

It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the timeneeded for a person suffering an acute respiratory emergency to receivean effective dose of nebulized medication, particularly where thesuffering person has no readily available assistance in using anebulizer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a nebulizerdevice with a stored dose of liquid medication where deployment of thatdose is accomplished by a simple manual operation by a user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method forspeeding relief to sufferers of acute respiratory distress by reducingthe time and effort required to deploy liquid medication in a nebulizer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide reliablefaster and simpler relief to a sufferer of acute respiratory distresswho is alone and without assistance by reducing the time and effortrequired to deploy liquid medication in a nebulizer.

In keeping with the present invention other objects will make themselvesclear to users of the device and to those of skill in the art, and thusthis invention is not limited to the objectives here enumerated, whichare not exhaustively presented and are described merely by way ofexample.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, thepresent invention relates to a conventional nebulizer having a novelintegral structure for conveniently delivering a dose of liquidmedication to the conventional nebulizer's conventional nebulizingchamber, the novelty being in providing a new structural componentintegral with the structure of a conventional nebulizer, whereby theliquid dose capsule is opened upon manual or automatic activation of anactivator, such as a plunger with a capsule opener.

For example, the semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizerpreferably includes a vertically extending housing having a nebulizerchamber containing medication in a dosage capsule. An opening in abottom of the housing receives compressed air for nebulizing themedication contained within and released from the dosage capsule. Abreather above the nebulizer housing is joined to the housing through aconnecting tube extending vertically up from the housing for receivingthe nebulized medication. The breather has a mouthpiece for use by apatient to receive the nebulized medication. An apparatus for refillingthe nebulizing chamber with medication is mounted on and above thebreather. A refilling tube or other configured chamber contains astorage chamber aligned with the connecting tube to receive themedication dosage capsule therein. Preferably, the storage chamber has anesting base support for securing a lower end of the capsule in place.Preferably the storage chamber also includes an upper opening with aremovable cap, which is configured to secure an upper end of the capsulein a preferred position, such as centrally located to encounter aseverance blade, or, in another embodiment, along an anvil located at aside wall of the storage chamber when the cap is in place. The capsulemay be held in place by a spring loaded conical or otherwise configuredmember mounted on an underside of the cap so that when the cap ispositioned to close the top opening of the storage chamber, an edge ofthe member pushes the upper end of the medication capsule into therequired position within the storage chamber.

The medication dosage capsule is opened by force, such as twisting orcrushing. Preferably, however, a severance blade severs the medicationdosage capsule by slicing through a side of the capsule while thecapsule is in the storage chamber, to release medication flowing bygravity into the nebulizing chamber. The severance blade preferably is acutting blade mounted on a distal end of a holder, which is manuallyactivated by a hand held plunger or is driven by an electric motoroperable by a push button switch. The activation can be accomplished byan electronic push button causing operation of the plunger. The electricmotor can be preferably a low output speed gear motor.

When a hand held plunger is used, the plunger includes a fixed finger orhand rest and a movable finger or hand rest attached to a distal end ofthe plunger, whereby squeezing the two rests together causes the plungerto advance toward the capsule. In another plunger embodiment, theplunger is driven by a pliers assembly for providing a mechanicaladvantage. The pliers assembly preferably includes a pair of pliersmembers having distal ends thereof attached to a fixed pivot bracket anda movable pivot bracket mounted on a distal end of the plunger,respectively, and pliers grips on proximate ends of the pliers membersfor exerting mechanical advantage in driving the plunger. The medicationcapsule can be severed by a horizontally oriented blade, or by a bladeof another angular configuration, such as an obliquely slanted orientedblade or a vertically oriented blade, such as a replaceable cuttingblade attached to a blunt crusher head, whereby the angularly orientedblade severs the capsule in a lower end and the optional crusher headcrushes the capsule. Optionally the capsule can be crushed by a bluntcrusher head itself without a blade, when the capsule has a built-inweakened area which bursts when pressure builds up within the capsulewhen the blunt crusher head comes in contact with the capsule.

It is further noted that, while the present invention is applicable topulmonary conditions, such as asthma, it is contemplated that othermedical conditions can be treated with misting medication where rapiddeployment from a capsule is required. For example, nebulizers aredescribed for use in treating diabetes with insulin in U.S. Pat. No.5,451,569 of Wong et al, in treating human immuno-suppressed conditionsin U.S. Pat. No. 7,388,076 and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in U.S.Pat. No. 7,343,915 of Addington. Additionally U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,058 ofDedhiya et al describes dispensing medical marijuana through anaerosolizing nebulizer.

The preferable component is a chamber for vertically mounting the dosagecapsule therein from above, wherein the capsule opener is a bladecutting the capsule, or the capsule opener is a twist opener providing atorque application of twisting force to open the capsule to unload itscontents directly into the misting chamber of the nebulizer. Besides thetwisting force to open the capsule, the capsule may also be subject tocrushing force, to overcome the ambient air pressure nominally holdingthe medication fluid in the capsule, and preventing it from flowingfreely through the narrow aperture at the discharge end of themedication capsule.

Alternatively, the plunger can also automatically start the electricalcomponents of the compression chamber for nebulizing a mist.

The novel structural component comprises a storage chamber for storing,in loaded-gun fashion, a dose of liquid medication on board theconventional nebulizer housing with a simple user-operable blade plungercapsule opener opening the medication capsule needed to deploy themedication into the conventional nebulizing chamber. The novel structuremedication storage chamber generally has an open-aperture delivery enddisposed in close proximity to the nebulizing chamber so that the liquidmedication, when deployed by a user, flows reliably and directly intothe nebulizing chamber.

The novel medication storage chamber of the non-preferred embodimentaccepts a single disposable and user-replaceable cartridge capsulecontaining a dose of medication to be nebulized in an emergency. Thechamber is provided at its outer end with plunger having a capsuleopener for a user to open the medication capsule. The blade may begenerally horizontal in orientation, so that the capsule is severed,wherein the severed bottom portion of the capsule below the bladeseverance contact area falls out of the way to permit fluid flow bygravity therefrom into the nebulizer misting chamber. Optionally theblade can be vertically or angularly oriented at an oblique angle.

For example, the semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizerpreferably includes a vertically extending housing having a nebulizerchamber containing medication in a dosage capsule. An opening in abottom of the housing receives compressed air for nebulizing themedication contained within the capsule. A breather above the nebulizerhousing is joined to the housing through a connecting tube extendingvertically up from the housing for receiving the nebulized medication.The breather has a mouthpiece for use by a patient to receive thenebulized medication. An apparatus for refilling the nebulizing chamberwith medication is mounted on and above the breather. A refilling tubecontains a storage chamber aligned with the connecting tube to receivethe medication dosage capsule therein. A severance blade severs themedication dosage capsule by slicing through a side of the capsule whilethe capsule is in the storage chamber to release medication flowing bygravity into the nebulizing chamber.

The severance blade preferably is a cutting blade mounted on a distalend of a holder, which is manually activated by a hand held plunger oris driven by an electric motor operable by a push button switch.

The electric motor can be preferably a low output speed gear motor. Inthe push button embodiment, a switch initiates operation of the electricmotor to advance the holder from an initial position until the cuttingblade severs the medication dosage capsule, allowing the medication toflow into the nebulizing chamber.

When the capsule is severed by the blade at an appropriate wide portionthat ambient air pressure is not a factor, the capsule may not need tobe crushed. Fluid flows freely through the severed capsule without beingcrushed. The simplest emergency user-pressure means is a plungerone-hand aperture arrangement which permits a quick opening of themedication capsule to dispense the fluid therefrom.

The novel combination of medication dose capsule with a conventionalnebulizer provided in the present invention addresses and solves theproblem of what procedure must be followed by a patient having abreathing emergency, such as a severe attack of asthma, and needs aquick reliable dose of nebulized medication, particularly where (1) noother person is available to assist the patient and (2) a single-shothand-held nebulizer rescue inhaler is medically inappropriate fortreatment.

In a further embodiment, the blade plunger is advanced toward themedication capsule and the cutting action is accomplished by powerprovided by a small motor. A pushbutton is pressed by the userinitiating an automatic sequence starting the motor, advancing the bladeplunger toward the capsule, then instantly reversing the motor after thecut is accomplished to withdraw the plunger back toward the startingposition and shutting down. This makes the cutting far more feasible fora large community of asthma sufferers who may have other ailmentsrestricting the force they can exert with their fingers.

The apparatus for this embodiment includes preferably a DC permanentmagnet (DCPM) motor supplied with low voltage DC of 6-12 volts through asimple control circuit. One implementation described uses a motorcoupled via two meshed gears driving a lead screw. The gear set reducesthe motor speed while increasing torque to drive the lead screw. Thelead screw nut is attached to a movable blade plunger guided within alinear guide. A second alternate implementation described uses a lowspeed output DCPM gearmotor with a small gear pinion attached. Thepinion engages a linear gear rack that is integral to a movable bladeplunger guided by a linear guide. In either case, limit switch elementsat both motion extremes are used to interface with the control circuit.These limit switches can be as simple as snap action switches ormagnetic reed contacts, or they can be implemented as optical or HallEffect sensors. The choice is properly made as the control circuit isdefined. This can be as simple as the relay logic described, or morecomplex solid state or processor driven circuits can be implemented.

Other embodiments are concerned with yet other manual methods forquickly extracting nebulizer medication from capsules. A larger verticalstorage chamber is used in these embodiments. A concave anvil supportregion within the chamber helps support the medication capsule along itsside during medication extraction. A spring-loaded conical memberattached to the storage chamber cap guides the medication capsule intothe anvil cavity to insure proper positioning.

In one embodiment, a directly actuated plunger with attached verticallyoriented blade (at the distal end) is used to pierce the medicationcapsule near its bottom end within the vertical storage chamber.

In another embodiment, modified medication capsules with anintentionally weakened region at the lowest end (as inserted into thechamber) are used exclusively. Instead of a blade, a blunt crusher headis at the distal end of the plunger. When forced against the medicationcapsule, internal gas pressure build-up causes the weakened region torupture, immediately spewing the medication out within the storagechamber. Also, this embodiment uses pliers grips as a mechanicaladvantage device to multiply the force exerted on the end of theplunger. (Note that this method can also be used on the embodiment withthe vertical or obliquely oriented blade described above.)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can best be understood in connection with theaccompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited tothe precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a prior art nebulizer disassembled toillustrate pouring of medication into the nebulizing chamber;

FIG. 2 shows a user operating a conventional prior art nebulizer bybreathing through the mouthpiece;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment having a conventionalnebulizer having a novel built-in medication storage chamber extendingoutward from the housing of the nebulizer;

FIG. 4 shows a medication dose cartridge having an inner end withtapered shoulders so as to be capable of nesting within the medicationstorage chamber shown in FIG. 3; the medication cartridge has an outerend having means of accepting force for the purpose of ejecting theliquid medication contained in the cartridge through its inner end andinto the nebulizing chamber;

FIG. 5 shows a detail of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, with themedication storage chamber extending outward from the nebulizing chamberthrough the wall of the nebulizer housing, having a medication dosecartridge therewithin and having a piston for application of force by auser to break the seal of the medication cartridge. The injection nozzleof the medication storage chamber is shown in close proximity to thenebulizing chamber within the housing;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment, having a verticalstorage sleeve for a capsule of liquid medication, where the capsule isseated with its tear-off tab in close proximity to the conventionalnebulizing chamber within the housing of the conventional nebulizer;

FIG. 7 shows a detailed crossectional view in cutaway of the twist openembodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a third embodiment of the preferredembodiment, having a vertical storage sleeve for a capsule of liquidmedication, where the capsule is seated with its tear-off tab in closeproximity to the conventional nebulizing chamber within the housing ofthe conventional nebulizer;

FIG. 9 shows a top exploded view of the third embodiment of FIG. 8,having a vertical storage sleeve for a capsule of liquid medication,showing a lever twisting the capsule, while the tear-off portion of thecapsule is seated and immobilized, so that twisting of the capsulecauses a tear and crushing of the capsule between the tear-off portionand the fluid reservoir portion;

FIG. 10 is a close-up detail crossectional view in cutaway of the thirdembodiment in FIGS. 8 and 9, showing the rotation of the capsule whilethe tear-off portion is seated immobile in place;

FIG. 11 is a close-up detail bottom view of the sleeve of FIGS. 8, 9 and10 showing the restraining stop means and mist-accommodating ports;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate fourthembodiment for a knob cam activation assembly for dispensing medicationfrom a capsule;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the knob cam activation assembly shown inFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the knob activator thereof;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the knob activator as in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the cam assembly shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternate fifth embodiment for thenebulizer of this invention showing a flat blade plunger guide with ablade plunger in the extended position for slicing and cutting open themedication capsule;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the blade plunger assembly as in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a crossectional side view detail thereof, showing themedication

dosage capsule in the vertical storage chamber prior to the cuttingoperation;

FIG. 20 is a top plan crossectional detail view of the cutting bladeapproaching

the medication dosage capsule to be severed;

FIG. 21 is a side crossectional view detail thereof, showing the cuttingblade in contact with the medication dose capsule at the initiation ofthe cutting operation;

FIG. 22 is a side crossectional view detail of the medication dosagecapsule in the vertical storage chamber just after having been cut withmedication flowing through the plunger flow aperture into the lowersection;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the entire nebulizer system of thefifth embodiment of this invention including the nebulizer assemblyalong with the compressor housing.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment for a blade plungerassembly;

FIG. 24A is a close up side crossectional view showing a tongue andgroove orientation sub-assembly, as viewed in dashed circle line “24A”of FIG. 24;

FIG. 24B is a close-up side crossectional detail view of anotherembodiment for an orientation sub-assembly for the blade plungerassembly;

FIG. 24C is a close-up front elevational view of the plunger portionthereof;

FIG. 24D is a top plan view of the plunger guide of the orientationsubassembly of FIG. 24B;

FIG. 25 is a close-up perspective detail view of a follower paddlebehind the cutting blade in the plunger assembly of FIG. 24;

FIG. 25A is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment for a bladeplunger;

FIG. 25B is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 25C is a crossectional view of a bottom portion of a blade plungerguide for the blade plunger of FIG. 25A;

FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 are a sequence of three side crossectional detailviews showing the progress of the cutting blade from right to left incutting through the medication dosage capsule and the release of themedication downward toward the nebulizer chamber;

FIG. 26A is a close-up top plan view of the capsule support region;

FIG. 29 is a perspective exploded view of a seventh embodiment ofnebulizer with enhanced medication capsule holding features;

FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of coil spring hold-downelements within a storage chamber cap;

FIG. 31 is a perspective detail view of the medicine capsule baseholder, showing a cutting blade approaching a medication capsule,wherein the angle and arrow lines depict a blade cutting angleorientation;

FIG. 32 is a side crossectional medicine capsule chamber prior tocutting;

FIG. 33 is a partial side crossectional of the medicine capsule chamberjust after cutting showing medicine flow downward;

FIGS. 34-37 show a fully activated nebulizer system where activation ofthe capsule opening plunger also activates the nebulizer pump circuit;

FIG. 38 shows an auxiliary plug-in, not integrated starter box forautomatically starting the misting compressor of the nebulizer inhalerof FIG. 17;

FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram thereof;

FIG. 40 is a side elevation of a lead screw type powered blade plungerwith the housing shown in crossection;

FIG. 41 is a top view of the motion elements of the embodiment of FIG.40;

FIG. 42 is a side elevation of a rack and pinion type powered bladeplunger shown with the housing shown in crossection;

FIG. 43 is a bottom view of the motion components of the embodiment ofFIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit for either type ofpowered blade implementation using three relays and a other components;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a nebulizer vertical storage chamberassembly with direct acting manual plunger;

FIG. 46 is a top view of the interior of the vertical storage chambershowing the anvil cavity and lower medication capsule support extension;

FIG. 47 is a side elevation in partial crossection of the verticalstorage chamber cap with spring-loaded conical member;

FIG. 48 is a side elevation of a vertical storage chamber assembly of anembodiment, in partial crossection, with a directly actuated verticalcutting blade located on a capsule crusher head;

FIG. 48A is a close-up detail view of an alternate embodiment for anobliquely oriented cutting blade located on a capsule crusher head;

FIG. 48B is a close-up detail view of an alternate embodiment for aninverse V-shaped cutting blade located on a capsule crusher head;

FIG. 49 is a side elevation of an alternate embodiment for a verticalstorage chamber assembly of an embodiment, shown in partial crossection,with a crushing head and pliers grips for mechanical advantage;

FIG. 50 is a front view of a medication capsule with a weakened regionat the normal bottom end; and,

FIG. 51 is a front view of a medication capsule as in FIG. 50 but withthe weakened region of different configuration at the opposite end.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Nebulizer Housing

11 Connecting Tube between nebulizer housing 10 and breather 25

14 Conventional medication dose container including nebulizer chamber

15 Nebulizer chamber

20 Compressed air supply line

25 Conventional breather portion of conventional nebulizer

30 Conventional mouthpiece at proximal end of conventional breather 25

31 Open distal end of conventional breather 25

32 Inside surface of novel storage chamber

35 Novel storage chamber for medication dose

36 Inner end of medication storage chamber 35

37 Outer end of medication storage chamber 35

38 Tapered open-ended nozzle at inner end 36 of medication storagechamber 35

40 User-removable user-replaceable medication dose cartridge containinga dose of liquid medication to be nebulized

41 Outer end of medication dose cartridge 40

42 Inner end of medication dose cartridge 40

43. Pressure seal at inner end 42 of Medication dose cartridge 40.

44. Elastomerically Sealed Piston at outer end 41 of cartridge 40.

45. Open reduced-diameter inner end of Medication dose cartridge 40.

47. Tapered inner shoulders of medication Cartridge 40.

50. Grooved piston rod.

52. Finger engagement wings.

55. Stop for engaging groove of Piston Rod 50

56. Pressure plate at the end of Piston Rod 50 for application of userforce.

62. Vertical medication storage sleeve 62.

62 a, 62 b. Slots in sleeve 62 to allow fluid to enter reservoir 15

62 c. Restraining stop means for tear off portion of capsule 66

62 d. aperture for fluid flow into reservoir 15

64. Tear off tab.

66. Medication dose capsule.

68. Screw cap activating handle.

69. Activating lever handle.

69 a. Activating lever handle rod.

69 b. Activating lever handle paddle.

70. Inhaling pipe.

162 a. Mist port.

162 b. Mist port.

162 c. Restraining stop means.

168. Knob activator.

180 a. Capsule pincher blade.

180 b. Capsule pincher blade.

190. Cam assembly.

192 a. Cam contact element.

192 b. Cam contact element.

194 a. Rotation stop element.

194 b. Reciprocating rotation stop element.

200 Nebulizer assembly with blade cutter.

210 Vertical storage chamber.

220 Inhalation tube.

230 Mouthpiece.

240 Conventional nebulizing chamber.

250 Flat blade plunger guide.

255 Fixed finger/hand grip.

260 Blade plunger assembly.

265 Flat blade plunger.

270 Cutting blade.

275 Plunger flow aperture.

280 Plunger finger/hand grip.

290 Storage chamber cap.

292 Drainage weep hole in plunger guide.

295 Cap covering drainage weep holes.

300 Medication dosage capsule.

300 a Severable distal end portion of medication capsule 300.

310 Conventional compressor housing.

311 Integrated compressor housing.

312 Locator light indicator and holder support.

313 Night light plug receptacle.

314 Nebulizer holder.

315 Night light.

320 Electrical wall plug.

330 Compressed air line.

340 Manual compressor switch.

340 a Manual rocker switch of conventional compressor

345 Indicator lamp.

360 Plunger switch.

365 Plunger switch cable.

365 a Switch cable connector

365 b LED denoting standby mode

370 “ON” button of plunger switch

370 a “OFF” button of plunger switch

380 Relay.

385 Transformer.

390 Relay coil.

395 Relay contacts.

410 Compressor motor.

420 Air compressor.

500 Nebulizer assembly with blade cutter and pusher.

510 Vertical storage chamber.

510 a Capsule retaining guide opening

510 b Capsule retaining guide

520 Inhalation tube.

530 Mouthpiece.

540 Conventional nebulizing chamber.

550 Flat blade plunger guide.

551 Hollow pocket in plunger guide 550.

552 Inner wall tongue.

552 a Inner wall protrusion button.

552 b External misorientation stop.

553 Inner wall groove.

553 a Inner wall top groove.

554 Capsule stabilizer block.

554 a Sloping capsule guide.

555 Fixed finger grip.

556 Capsule guide

560 Blade plunger assembly.

565 Flat blade plunger.

565 a Optional flat blade plunger

565 b Finger/hand grip of flat blade plunger 565 a

570 Cutting blade

572 Follower paddle of cutting blade 570.

572 a Optional follower paddle of cutting blade 570

572 b Slanted sides of optional follower paddle 572 a

572 c Slot for blade 570

572 d Slanted orientation edge

572 e Beveled inside edge of optional flat blade plunger 565 a

573 Aperture in blade plunger 570

574 Optional plunger guide

574 a Slanted side of plunger guide

575 Hollow discharge tube.

576 Screen.

580 Plunger finger/hand grip.

580 a Bumper button contact on plunger finger/hand grip 580.

590 Storage chamber cap.

590 a Opaque bottom of cap 590.

600 Medication dosage capsule.

600 a Severed distal end portion of medication capsule 600.

700 Alternate style medication dosage capsule.

705 Pointed top end of dosage capsule 700.

710 Medication capsule base holder.

720 Central hole with slots in base holder.

722 Slots of control hole 720.

730 Peripheral holes in base holder to permit medication flow.

740 Top fixed spring retainer.

750 Coil spring.

760 Bottom movable spring retainer.

760 a Indicia on retainer 760.

770 Conical top holder for medication capsule.

800 Auxiliary power box.

802 Nebulizer plug outlet.

803 Night light outlet.

815 Night light.

850 Lead screw type powered blade plunger.

851 Push button for powered plunger versions.

852 DCPM motor.

853 Housing of lead screw powered blade plunger.

856 Motor gear for lead screw version.

857 Large lead screw drive gear.

858 Lead screw.

859 Lead screw nut.

860 Grooved linear guide for lead screw version.

861 Plunger carriage attached to 859.

863 Blade holder assembly—front part of 861.

865 Limit switch for reversing.

866 Limit switch for shut down.

900 Rack and pinion (r&p) version of powered blade plunger.

901 Housing of r&p version.

902 DCPM gearmotor.

903 Grooved linear guide for r&p version.

910 R&p plunger carriage.

911 Blade holder assembly-front part of 910.

912 Rack teeth.

914 Edge operating reversal limit switch.

915 Motor pinion gear engaged with 912.

950 AC/DC power supply for motor driven blade plunger.

952 Capacitor.

954 Single-shot timing pulse.

956 Relay driver.

958 Isolation diode.

960 Isolation diode.

962 Power relay.

964 Reverse control relay.

966 Motor reversing relay.

1000 Vertical storage chamber assembly with direct actuation

1002 Large vertical storage chamber

1004 Funnel region to collect and guide medication

1006 Plunger housing

1007 Plunger rod

1008 Fixed finger/hand rest

1009 Movable finger/hand rest

1012 Storage chamber cap

1013 Indicia for cap lock line-up

1014 Indicia on chamber for cap line-up

1015 Large diameter lock pin

1016 Small diameter lock pin

1018 Hollow extension

1020 Central hole above nebulizer chamber

1022 Anvil support recess

1024 Chamber base support ring

1025 Medication capsule support extension

1026 Capsule end slot

1030 Small pin slot

1031 Large pin slot

1034 Leaf spring

1035 Conical member

1041 Vertical piercing blade

1045 Vertical storage chamber assembly with pliers grips

1046 Plunger housing

1047 Plunger

1050 Modified capsule

1051 Weakened region of modified capsule

1053 Blunt crusher head

1055 Fixed pivot bracket

1057 Movable pivot bracket

1059 Central pivot

1060 Pliers grip

1061 Pliers grip

1070 Modified capsule

1071 Weakened region of modified capsule

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In keeping with the objects of the invention, the present inventionprovides a conventional nebulizer having a built-in (and thus integral)novel storage structure for storing a dose of liquid medication inpreparation for an emergency. The liquid medication is convenientlydelivered to the conventional nebulizer's conventional nebulizingchamber.

A conventional nebulizer is used to aerosolize liquid medication anddeliver the aerosol for inhalation by a user. Although both aretypically used for treating pulmonary medical conditions such as asthma,a conventional nebulizer differs from hand-held inhaler sprayers in thatthe hand-held aerosolizer generally contains multiple doses ofmedication, has a propellant permanently loaded within it, and isindicated for use where a single aerosolized dispensed quantitycomprises the intended dose of medication for use by a patient.

It is critical to accurately time the dispensing shot from a hand-heldmedication inhaler to coincide with a user's inspiration, so as toensure that the medication actually reaches the lungs of a user.Mistiming of the dispensing shot from a handheld inhaler can result in ashort dose of medication or in no dose at all.

A conventional nebulizer, in contrast, has no stored medication at all.It is comprised of a nebulizing chamber, an air pump and an inhaler. Theair pump, usually electrically driven, supplies a stream of compressedair through a conduit to a nebulizer housing. The housing is generallycylindrical, has a top and bottom part that can be separated by a user,and the top part has an upwardly projecting extension that ends in aninhaler. The inhaler is generally a horizontally disposed tube with anopen distal end and a proximal end that is an open-ended mouthpiece.

The conventional nebulizer housing contains a nebulizing chamber. Thechamber is basically a vertical cylinder with an open top for receivinga dose of liquid medication. The chamber has an air-stream inlet in thebottom. Compressed air from the air pump is conveyed to the chamber'sbottom air inlet through a conduit. The compressed air enters the bottomof the nebulizing chamber and is then mixed with the dose of liquidmedication, causing the medication to become nebulized into an aerosol.There is an open airflow between the nebulizer chamber and an upwardlyextending short tube leading to a T-connection with a horizontal tubeopen at both ends that comprises an inhaler pipe with a breathermouthpiece at one end. One open end of the inhaler pipe comprises adistal end, opposite to a proximal end which comprises the mouthpieceshaped to fit into the mouth of a user.

The inhaler pipe is in open airflow with the nebulizer chamber. When auser inhales through the proximal open end of the mouthpiece, air isurged into the open distal end and into the proximal end of themouthpiece. The user's inhalation effort also urges air from thenebulizer chamber, containing nebulized medication to rise up theconnecting tube and to enter the proximal end of the mouthpiece.

The user thus inhales nebulized liquid medication, and the user may doso with inhalations repeated as needed over a period of time sufficientto get relief from respiratory symptoms that put the user into acutedistress, such as an asthma attack.

Thus an important difference between a conventional nebulizer and ahand-held inhaler is that the hand-held device is intended to deliver asingle dose of medication intended to treat the entire episode of acuterespiratory distress. The user must time the dispensing shot of thehand-held nebulizer to coincide with a breath inspiration or the effectof the device is defeated and the medication shot is wasted. Incontrast, a conventional nebulizer provides the ability for an acuterespiratory sufferer to breathe as many times as needed to receivesufficient nebulized medication into the lungs to alleviate the acutedistress symptoms. The conventional nebulizer thus does a different jobas compared to the hand held inhaler.

In additional comparison, handheld inhalers typically contain numerousdoses of medication while a conventional nebulizer contains nomedication at all.

A critical problem solved by the present invention is that, whilemedication delivered by a conventional nebulizer could be more effectivethan medication delivered by a hand-held inhaler due to the availabilityof repeated inhalations of medication with the conventional nebulizer,there remains an important shortcoming, which is addressed by theinventive step of the current invention.

In order to use a conventional nebulizer it is necessary for a user, orsomeone assisting the user to (1) disassemble the nebulizer housing byremoving its top so as to expose the nebulizing chamber; (2) locate aseparately stored container of liquid medication to be nebulized; (3)carefully open the liquid medication container so as not to spill it;(4) pour the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamberwithout losing any of it through spilling into the nebulizer housing;(5) reassemble the nebulizer housing; and (6) position the inhalermouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication.

A problem arises in that use of a nebulizer is not going to be soughtuntil a person is already in acute respiratory distress. Otherwise,problems of nebulizer overuse, overmedication, medication side effectsand a search for alternate pulmonary therapy modalities will all becomeconcerns for a patient. Therefore, use of a conventional nebulizerimplies that a user is experiencing acute pulmonary symptoms, is inacute distress, and is experiencing an emergency.

Persons suffering acute respiratory distress are routinely subject tobeing fearful, frightened, or fully panicked. Fear, fright and panic arewell known to degrade performance on tasks requiring some level of skillin eye-hand coordination tasks. When seeking the use of a conventionalnebulizer, then, a user is required to locate a separate containerholding a dose of liquid medication, open the nebulizer, open themedication container, pour the liquid into the nebulizer chamber, andre-assemble the nebulizer housing. The aforedescribed sequence of stepscan be difficult or impossible for a fearful, frightened or panickedsufferer of acute respiratory distress. An important consideration isthat there will almost certainly be occasions when a person experiencingacute need of a conventional nebulizer is alone and without anyone toassist. It is just these occasions where a conventional nebulizer may beavailable but be impossible for a user to operate.

To solve the problem of user inability to operate a conventionalnebulizer in an emergency, the present invention presents a simplesolution: construct a conventional nebulizer than has a built-in storeddose of liquid medication and make that liquid dose injectable into thenebulizer chamber with either a simple twist of a screw cap or a singlestroke of user force. As provided in the present invention the user willnot be required to disassemble or reassemble the housing of aconventional nebulizer; will not be required to locate a separatelystored container of liquid medication; will not be required to open theseparate medication container; and will not be required to pour theliquid medication into the nebulizer chamber.

According to the present invention, a conventional nebulizer will haveadded to its housing a storage chamber, preferably cylindrical, forstoring, in loaded-gun fashion, a dose of liquid medication on board theconventional nebulizer housing.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the novel storage chamberfor the medication capsule is preferably a substantially cylindricalsleeve with an open top aperture projecting vertically downward from theinhaler pipe to a point slightly above the conventional nebulizerchamber within the housing of a conventional nebulizer. The sleeve'sdiameter is small enough so as not to interfere with the conventionalnebulizer's free flow of air from the nebulizer chamber, up theconventional neck of a nebulizer and into the conventional inhaler pipeof a nebulizer. The medication capsule storage sleeve merely occupies aportion of the air passage between the nebulizer chamber and the inhalerpipe and thus in no way does the storage sleeve seal or impede theconventional free flow of air within what is otherwise a conventionalnebulizer.

In one embodiment of the present invention the novel medication storagechamber is also sleeve-like; however, instead of extending vertically asdoes the sleeve of the preferred embodiment, the storage chamber of thenon-preferred embodiment generally projects outwardly from an innerdelivery end in proximity to the nebulizing chamber, through the wall ofa conventional nebulizer housing, and extends to an outer user-accessend.

In the non-preferred embodiment the novel structure medication storagechamber generally has a tapered-nozzle open-aperture delivery enddisposed in close proximity to the nebulizing chamber so that the liquidmedication, when deployed by a user, is injected reliably and directlyinto the nebulizing chamber.

In the present invention the novel medication storage chamber accepts asingle disposable and user-replaceable capsule containing a dose ofliquid medication to be nebulized in an emergency. The chamber isprovided at its outer end with pressure means for a user to exert astroke of physical force upon the outer end of the medication chamber soas to exert force or slicing against the medication cartridge. Thecapsule is generally cylindrical with an end sized to match and fitwithin the medication storage chamber. In one embodiment an outer end ofthe medication capsule is capable of accepting force from amanually-operated piston.

The medication dose capsule has a seal that is capable of rupture uponmanual application of twisting or tearing pressure, the seal beinglocated at an inner end of the capsule, disposed at or near the innerend of the medication storage chamber. The preferable emergencyuser-pressure means is a piston arrangement, where the piston isintegral with the medication capsule, is elastomerically sealed, andaccepts a push-force from a piston rod. The easily recognized example ofthis is a medical syringe.

In another embodiment, insertion of the medication capsule within arotatable knob cam activation assembly facilities bursting of the sealof the medication reservoir capsule.

In a preferred embodiment, the medication capsule is opened by a slidingcutting blade activated by a plunger.

In the preferred embodiments, the cutter assembly is used with theangularly oriented blade, such as horizontally, vertically or obliquelyoriented, which pierces the capsule when activated by a hand operated orautomatically actuated plunger.

Therefore the novel combination of the present invention addresses andsolves the problem of what procedure must be followed by a patienthaving a breathing emergency, such as a severe attack of asthma, andneeds a quick reliable dose of nebulized medication, particular where(1) no other person is available to assist the patient and (2) asingle-shot hand-held nebulizer is medically inappropriate fortreatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art conventional nebulizer housing10 shown disassembled. Conventional medication container 14 is shownadding liquid medication to conventional nebulizing chamber 15. In theevent of a respiratory emergency, a user would have to locate a separatecontainer of liquid medication 14, then open it, then disassemble (asshown) the portions of the nebulizer housing 10, then pour the liquidmedication from its separate container 14 into nebulizer chamber 15,then reassemble nebulizer housing 10 before being able to inhalenebulized medication through proximal end of conventional mouthpiece 30which is part of conventional breather 25, breather 25 having an opendistal end 31 opposite to proximal end 30.

When a user has pour medication into nebulizer chamber 15 andreassembled housing 10, then conventional air supply line 20 supplies astream of compressed air to nebulizer chamber 15 causing the liquidmedication to become nebulized and urging the nebulized medicationupward through connecting tube 11 so as to be available for userinhalation through proximal end mouthpiece 30.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the prior art conventional nebulizerin use. A user inserts the proximal mouthpiece end 30 of breather 25into the mouth and inhales. Nebulizer housing 10 [concealed by theuser's hand in the drawing] furnishes nebulized (aerosolized) medicationto the user for as many repeated inhalations as the user may need foralleviation of an acute respiratory emergency. Air supply lines 20 isshown extending upwardly but the user's hand conceals the intersectionof air supply line 20 with the bottom of the nebulizer chamber 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the novel medication storagechamber generally projects outwardly from an inner delivery end inproximity to the nebulizing chamber, through the wall of a conventionalnebulizer housing, and extends to an outer user-access end.

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the present invention with aconventional nebulizer housing 10 fitted with novel integral (i.e.,built-in) medication storage chamber 35. Storage chamber 35 is capableof receiving removable medication dose cartridge 40. Both chamber 35 andmatching cartridge 40 are elongated, preferably cylindrical and bothhave matching inner and opposite outer ends. The inner end 36 of storagechamber 35 is disposed within nebulizer housing 10 while outer end 37 ofchamber 35 is outside of nebulizer housing 10. Chamber 35 is fixed in aposition that places its inner end 36 in close proximity to nebulizingchamber 15. The preferably cylindrical body of chamber 35 pointsradially outward from nebulizing chamber 15 so that outer end 37 ofmedication storage chamber 35 is outside of and spaced apart fromnebulizer housing 10.

Medication storage chamber 35 is provided with open-ended tapered nozzle38 at its inner end 36, nozzle 38 being in close proximity to nebulizingchamber 15 so as to reliably inject a dose of liquid medication fromcartridge 40 upon user application of a single inwardly directedpressure stroke to pressure plate 56 of grooved piston rod 50, disposedwithin medication storage chamber 35, at the outer end 37 of saidstorage chamber.

Medication cartridge 40 is provided with tapered inner end 42 tapered toopen end 45. Pressure seal 43 is located at inner end 42 of cartridge 40while elastomerically sealed piston 44 is located at the outer end ofcartridge 44. Upon user application of a single stroke of inwardpressure on pressure plate 56 at the outer end of piston rod 50 (usergrasps Finger Engagements Wings 52 for convenience), contact is madebetween grooved piston rod 50 and piston 44 resulting in an increase inhydraulic pressure on seal 43. Tapered shoulders 47 of cartridge 40contact and engage tapered nozzle 38 of medication storage chamber 35,causing cartridge 40 to become seated firmly within cartridge 35 when auser applies manual pressure to pressure plate 56 of grooved piston rod50.

Seal 43 is manufactured so as to burst upon user force application onpressure plate 56 of grooved piston rod 50. When seal 43 bursts,pressure from grooved piston rod 50 causes injection of liquidmedication from cartridge 40 into nebulizing chamber 15. The remainderof the nebulizing operation is conventional.

FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment of the present invention with a detailof removable medication dose cartridge 40, having pressure seal 43disposed at inner end 42, open end 45 is comprised of the taperedshoulders 47 at inner end 42 of cartridge 40 and outer end 41 containsmovable elastomerically sealed piston 44. Piston 44 receives pressurefrom grooved piston rod 50. In response, piston 44 moves in an inwarddirection applying hydraulic pressure to the liquid medication containedwithin the body of cartridge 40. In turn the hydraulic pressure causesseal 43 at the inner end of cartridge 40 to burst. When seal 43ruptures, liquid medication is forced under piston pressure to beinjected into nebulizing chamber 15. FIG. 5 shows the first embodimentof the present invention with a cut away side view detail of medicationstorage chamber 35 intersecting nebulizer housing 10 so as to have innerend 36 of chamber 35 in close proximity to nebulizing chamber 15 forreliable injection into chamber 15 of liquid medication from open innerend 43 of cartridge 40 upon application of a single stroke of inwarduser pressure upon pressure plate 56 of grooved piston rod 50, the forcebeing transmitted to piston 44 of cartridge 40. Stop 55 engages grooveon piston rod 50, preventing piston rod 50 from coming out of medicationstorage chamber 35.

As shown in a second alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, thenovel medication storage sleeve 62 projects vertically downward from thetop of horizontal inhaling pipe 70 extending downwardly into thenebulizer housing 10 to a point just above the nebulizing chamber 15. Amedication dose capsule 66 is an elongated substantially cylindricalcontainer oriented vertically within sleeve 62.

Capsule 66 is user inserted and user removed respectively to and fromsleeve 62. Capsule 66 is intended to be stored in sleeve 66 until used,and then removed and replaced in preparation for a next use of thenebulizer.

Capsule 66 has a lower end tear off tab 64. Sleeve 62 has lower end stopmeans 62 c to engage tear off tab 64 to prevent tab 64 from turning whentorque is applied to capsule 66. Stop means 62 a is attached by aretention means, such as bracket 62 b, within hollow sleeve 62, allowingfluid flow of the liquid medication through lots 62 a and 62 b and thenthrough aperture 62 d of hollow sleeve 62.

Sleeve 62 accepts screw cap activating handle 68 after a user insertscapsule 66 into sleeve 62. Screw cap 68 engages projection means oncapsule 66 so as to twist capsule 66 within sleeve 62 when a userapplies a torque force to screw cap 68. Because the lower end tear offtab 64 of capsule 66 is prevented from twisting by the stop means 62 awithin sleeve 66, capsule 66 is caused to shear and rupture at its lowerend when a user twists cap 68.

After capsule 66 is opened by twist off of tear off tab 64, capsule 66is subject to squeezing compression by a capsule squeezer, such as a canactivator or other crushing device known to those skilled in the art.Liquid medication within capsule 66 flows by gravity into nebulizingchamber 15 upon rupture of the lower end of capsule 66. The liquidmedication is then conventionally nebulized and the user gets thetherapeutic benefit of the nebulizer in a conventional manner.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the second embodiment for the novelmedication storage sleeve 62 projects vertically downward from the topof horizontal inhaling pipe 70 extending downwardly into the nebulizerhousing 10 to a point just above the nebulizing chamber 15. A medicationdose capsule 66 is an elongated substantially cylindrical containeroriented vertically within sleeve 62.

Capsule 66 is user inserted and user removed respectively to and fromsleeve 62. Capsule 66 is intended to be stored in sleeve 66 until used,and then removed and replaced in preparation for a next use of thenebulizer.

Capsule 66 has a lower end tear off tab 64. Sleeve 66 has lower end stopmeans to engage tear off tab 64 to prevent tab 64 from turning whentorque is applied to capsule 66

Sleeve 62 accepts screw cap activating handle 68 after a user insertscapsule 66 into sleeve 62. Screw cap 68 engages projection means oncapsule 66 so as to twist capsule 66 within sleeve 62 when a userapplies a torque force to screw cap 68. Because the lower end tear offtab 64 of capsule 66 is prevented from twisting by the stop means withinsleeve 66, capsule 66 is caused to shear and rupture at its lower endwhen a user twists cap 68. Liquid medication within capsule 66 flows bygravity into nebulizing chamber 15 upon rupture of the lower end ofcapsule 66. The liquid medication is then conventionally nebulized andthe user gets the therapeutic benefit of the nebulizer in a conventionalmanner.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed perspective of the second embodiment of thepresent invention. A user applies torque to screw cap 68 which in turnapplies torque to medication capsule 66 seated within storage sleeve 62.Stop means 62 c engages tear off tab 64 so that applied torque causesrupture of capsule 66, allowing its contents to flow by gravity intoconventional nebulizer chamber 15.

FIG. 8 shows the third embodiment, having a vertical storage sleeve 62for a capsule 66 of liquid medication, where the capsule 66 is seatedwith its tear-off tab 64 in close proximity to the conventionalnebulizing chamber within the housing of the conventional nebulizer.FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show a vertical storage sleeve 62 of the thirdembodiment for the capsule 66 of liquid medication, showing a lever 69actuating lever arm 69 a, which exerts pressure against lever arm paddle69 b against capsule 66, thereby moving the capsule 66 laterally, whilethe tear-off portion 64 of the capsule is seated and immobilized withinstop means 62 c, so that lateral pushing of the capsule 66 causes a tearof the capsule 66 at the tear-off portion 64 and fluid flow throughslots 62 a and 62 b adjacent to stop means 62 c, through aperture 62 dand into the fluid reservoir portion 15 of the nebulizer.

FIGS. 12-16 show a fourth alternate embodiment for a knob cam assemblyfor bursting the tear off tab 64 from capsule 66. As shown in FIG. 12,capsule 66 is inserted through a port in knob activator 168 betweencapsule pincher blades 180 a and 180 b, down to restraining stop means162 c, adjacent to one or more mist ports 162 a and/or 162 b, etc.,which, after bursting of the seal between capsule 66 and tear off tab68, medication is misted within nebulizer 14 upward to inhaling pipe 70and mouthpiece 30. Ports 162 a and/or 162 b, as well as restraining stopmeans 162 c are down stream of inhaling pipe 70, between nebulizer 14and inhaling pipe 70.

Rotation of knob activator 168 causes twisting of capsule 66 betweencapsule pincher blades 180 a and 180 b, and thence against cam contactprotrusion elements 192 a and 192 b of cam assembly 190, which rotatesin unison with rotation of knob activator 168, while restraining stopmeans holds tear off tab 64 of capsule 66 during rotation of capsule 66within cam assembly 190.

Rotation of knob activator 168 and cam assembly 190 is limited to apreferable arc of movement, such as, for example 180 degrees, by meansof reciprocating stop element 194 a on inhalation pipe 70 being stoppedby reciprocating stop element 194 b on the adjacent bottom of camassembly 190.

FIGS. 17-48B show alternate embodiments where the medication capsule issevered by a blade at an appropriate wide portion so that ambient airpressure is not a factor, so the capsule does not need to be opened andcrushed to insure fluid flow through the narrow discharge end of thecapsule, as shown in FIGS. 13-16.

FIG. 17 shows the major components of a fifth embodiment of a nebulizerassembly 200 of the present invention, where the medication capsule 300is opened by being severed with a cutting blade 270. Nebulizer assembly200 has a vertical storage chamber 210 for containing medication dosagecapsule 300 in a ready position for use by pressing on finger grip 280of blade plunger assembly 260 urging flat blade plunger 265 withinhollow flat blade plunger guide 250. Drainage weep holes 292 forcleaning purposes are covered by removable cap 295.

Cutting blade 270 with sharpened angled leading edge is shown in the topview of blade plunger assembly 260 in FIG. 18. Note plunger flowaperture 275 which provides an unobstructed flow region for medicationto flow out of capsule 300 after it is cut. Fixed finger grip 255provides a convenient surface for a compression action using thumb andfingers of one hand to perform the cutting motion. Note that aftercapsule 300 is inserted into chamber 210 in ready storage for the nextasthma episode, cap 290 is used to seal the large opening 210 a at thetop of chamber 210. Cap 290 keeps capsule 300 from jumping out of afterbeing sliced and cut. Note that after cutting, medicine will flow downinto conventional nebulizing chamber 240 wherein it is broken up intofine droplets by action of compressed air being fed in from the bottom.Inhalation tube 220 with mouthpiece 230 complete the major portions ofnebulizer 200.

FIGS. 19 through 22 are crossectional detail views of the progression ofthe cutting operation of medication dosage capsule 300 at its neckeddown distal end 300 a.

In FIG. 19, blade 270 is spaced away from capsule 300; this is thenormal storage position.

FIG. 20 shows blade 270 approaching the side of capsule 300 to besevered. In FIGS. 21, blade 270 is in first contact with the side ofcapsule 300.

FIG. 22 shows the situation just after capsule 300 is cut withmedication flowing out through plunger flow aperture 275 and fromsevered end 300 a.

FIG. 23 shows the entire nebulizer system including air compressorhousing 310 which is connected to nebulizer 240 via compressed airtubing 330. Also shown is fixed finger grip 555 attached to hollowplunger guide 550 for slidable insertion of blade assembly 560, shown inFIG. 24. Fixed finger grip 555 provides a convenient surface for acompression action using the fingers and hand to perform the cuttingmotion.

FIGS. 24-28 show the major components of the sixth alternate embodimentof a nebulizer assembly 500 of the present invention, where themedication capsule 600 is opened by being severed with a cutting blade570 (see FIG. 24). As shown in FIGS. 26-28, the nebulizer assembly has avertical storage chamber 510 for containing medication dosage capsule600 in a ready position for use by pressing on hand grip 580 of bladeplunger assembly 560, urging flat blade plunger 565 within hollow pocket551 of flat blade plunger guide 550, as shown in FIG. 23.

As shown in FIG. 24, cutting blade 570 with sharpened angled leadingedge (approximately 25-65 degrees, preferably 45 degrees) is shown inthe perspective view of blade plunger assembly 560. FIG. 24 also showsrigid or slightly flexible follower paddle 572 with adjacent fluid flowopening 573. Follower paddle 572 pushes severed distal portion 600 a outof the way as shown in FIG. 28, in preloadable chamber medicationcapsule storage region 510, which is located above upper platform 710,which, in turn, is located above fluid transport chamber 511. Fluidtransport chamber 511 is preferably acute tunnel-shaped inconfiguration, for optional fluid flow of fluid, past inhalation tube220, directly into conventional nebulizing chamber 240.

As shown in FIG. 24A, in order to assure the correct orientation ofblade plunger guide 550 of blade plunger assembly 560, when insertedinto hollow pocket 551 thereof, blade plunger 565 has linear tongue 552insertable within linear groove 553 of an inside wall of blade plungerguide 550. While tongue 552 is v-shaped, alternatively it can be asingle oblique edge sliding against a corresponding oblique edge, suchas shown in FIG. 25C.

FIGS. 24B, 24C and 24D show another embodiment for an orientationsub-assembly for the blade plunger assembly 560. Blade plunger 565includes a misorientation stop protrusion button 552 a, which isslidably insertable within linear groove 553 a within an inner topsurface of blade plunger guide 550 when blade plunger 565 is correctlyoriented for insertion within blade plunger assembly 550. Externalmisorientation stop 552 b is provided extending axially outward from abottom portion of blade plunger assembly 550, to contact misorientationstop protrusion button 552 a if blade plunger 565 is not correctlypositioned for insertion.

FIG. 24C is a close-up front elevational view of the plunger portionthereof;

FIG. 24D is a top plan view of the plunger guide of the orientationsub-assembly of FIG. 24B;

FIG. 25 shows a detail of follower paddle 572 showing its sloping uppersurface, sloping downward from an axially extending, centered imaginaryline, preferably the leading edge of paddle follower 572 is flat tofacilitate positive contact with severed capsule portion 600 a. Whenviewed at the distal end, follower paddle 572 therefore has a generallyaxially extending triangular crossection. The paddle follower 572 isused to separate the cut capsule 600, 600 a to insure that all liquid isable to drain into conventional nebulizer misting chamber 240. Followerpaddle 572 is significantly smaller in area than surrounding opening 573behind blade 570, to enhance fluid flow therethrough when pushingsevered distal portion 600 a out of the way. The rounded neck offollower paddle 572, as indicated by the curvature arrow, is preferablysmaller in width than a crossectional area of cut capsule 600.

FIGS. 25A, 25B and 25C, show an alternate preferred embodiment for acutter, including blade plunger 565 a having finger/hand grip 565 b andslots 572 c for cutting blade 570. Blade plunger 565 a includes bladefollower paddle 572, which is generally triangular in crossection,including slanted sides 572 b converging at an axially extending apexthereof. Outer lateral edges 572 d are slanted to insure properorientation of blade plunger 565 a within slanted walls 574 a of abottom portion of optional blade plunger guide 574. Follower paddle 572extends axially forward from inner edge 572 of preferred optional bladeplunger 565 a.

FIGS. 26 through 28 are crossectional detail views of the sixthembodiment, showing the progression of the cutting operation ofmedication dosage capsule 600 at its distal end 600 a, and the pushingof severed distal portion 600 a out of the way above screen 576.

In FIGS. 26 and 26A, blade 570 is spaced away from capsule 600; this isthe normal storage position. Capsule 600 is preloaded to rest againstcapsule stabilizer block 554, which facilitates clean slicing of capsule600. Capsule stabilizer block 554 is located above capsule base holder710. Additionally sloping capsule guide 554 a is provided juxtaposed onan opposite side of vertical storage chamber 510 so capsule 600 does notlodge by mistake into one of the peripheral holes 730 in platform 710,but rather is correctly guided and nested into central hole 720. Slopingcapsule guide 554 a also assists in sliding the severed capsule 600 outof the way.

In FIG. 27, blade 570 has cut through capsule 600.

FIG. 28 shows the situation just after capsule 600 is cut withmedication flowing around follower paddle 522, out through plunger flowaperture 573 behind blade 570 and through discharge tube 575. Followerpaddle 572 pushes severed distal portion 600 a out of the way, withinchamber medication capsule storage region 510. To insure separation ofthe cut portions of medication capsule 600 by the leading edge offollower paddle 572, the rounded top surface is angled downward so thatthe contact region of follower paddle 572 with cut end 600 a is belowthe level of blade 570.

FIGS. 29-33 show the seventh embodiment of nebulizer with improvedmedication capsule holding features for easier cutting action.

FIG. 29 also shows an alternate design for medication capsule 700 whichis wider and flatter, for example, than capsule 600 with a pointed topend 705. A modified base holder 710 has a central hole 720 withextending slots 722 which can accept a wide range of capsule designs. Acapsule type 600 is held with the bottom end partially within hole 720,while a capsule of type 700 is held above hole 720 with flat end engagedwithin radially extending slots 722 as shown in the detail of FIG. 29.Since capsules 600 or 700 are soft in their midsection, blade cutsthereof should be close to a bottom portion thereof, so that a clean cutoccurs to insure maximum emptying of fluid contents therefrom. However,the blade cut must be through the hollow fluid filled portion, notthrough the solid tear-off portion of capsule 600 or 700.

Other features which enhance the holding action are housed withinstorage chamber cap 590 having an opaque bottom portion 590 a and alight transmissive transparent or translucent top portion, as shown inFIG. 30. These include coil spring 750 which is used to press down onthe top end of either style of medication capsule. Fixed spring retainer740 engages the top distal end of coil spring 750 and retains it in afixed position at the inside top of cap 590. Bottom collar 760 engagesthe bottom end of coil spring 750 and slides freely (as a piston) on theinside surface of cap 590. Attached to collar 760 is a conical topmedication capsule holder 770 which will center either the flat top andbottom ends of capsule 600 or the pointed top end 705 or flat bottom end706 of capsule 700. The bottom portion 590 a of cap 590 is preferablyopaque, to conceal bottom collar 760 from view when no medicationcapsule 600 is present underneath conical top medication capsule holder770. However, when a medication capsule 600 is present, it exerts upwardpushing pressure against conical medication capsule holder 770 andspring 750, thereby raising bottom collar 760 upward so that it isviewable through the upper transparent or translucent portion of storagechamber cap 590, above opaque bottom portion 590 a. Additionally, toassist the user in viewing bottom collar 760, to view the presence of amedication capsule, bottom collar 760 preferably has visuallyperceptible indicia 760 a thereon.

FIG. 32 shows the inner alignment of the components of the storagechamber. Note that spring 750 is compressed by the presence of eithercapsule 700 (as shown) or 600. This is a view just prior to blade 570approaching the side of capsule 700. FIG. 33 is a snapshot view justafter cutting of medication capsule 600 showing medication flowingthrough central hole 720 and peripheral holes 730 into the chamberbelow.

FIGS. 34-37 show an eighth alternate embodiment for a fully integratedsystem for turning on compressor motor 410 of compressor 420.

FIGS. 34-36 show integrated air compressor housing 311 connected tonebulizer 200 via compressed air tubing 330. Also shown is plungerswitch 360 centrally mounted on fixed finger grip 555 and attached tocompressor housing 311 via cable 365. Optional connector 365 a on cable365 is used to permit the nebulizer portion to be more convenientlydisconnected from the compressor for convenient cleaning and sanitizing.Switch 360 is preferably a 2 Button “rocker” switch left in “OFF” forstand by to use. Optionally, it can be a magnetic switch or otherautomated switch. Switch 360 is activated by movement of plunger handgrip 580 against “ON” contact button 370, which is mounted on a lowerportion of grip 555. Switch 360 is a waterproof switch, such as, forexample, a 2-wire, maintained contact 2 Button “rocker”, such asprovided by Control Products, Inc. in their K5000 Series industrialwaterproof switches. “OFF” switch button 370 a, located below “ON”switch button 370, turns off the circuit and puts the system back to“stand by” status. It can be re-energized by pressing manual compressorswitch button 340 or by re-activating plunger assembly 560, causingcontact of hand grip 580 against “ON” switch button 370 of switch 360located on fixed finger grip 555. In an alternate embodiment, anindicator light 365 b is added to indicate standby mode. This is themode wherein connector 365 a is engaged, power is on, but switch 360 isin the OFF position. Although any light emitter compatible withavailable voltage can be used, the preferred device is a green lightemitting diode (LED).

FIG. 35 shows these two parts, fixed hand grip 580 and “ON” switchbutton 370 of switch 360 contacting each other upon actuation. “OFF”button 370 a is used to turn off switch 360. When “ON” button 370 ispressed, the contact is closed. When “OFF” button 370 a is pressed in,the contact is open. Preferably, optional resilient contact buttonbumper 580 a insures contact between fixed hand grip 580 and “ON” button370. In operation, nebulizer 200 would be stored with medication dosagecapsule 300, 600 or 700 stored in ready orientation in chamber 210.Compressor wall plug 320 would be normally energized in an AC powersource outlet. Manual override button 340, only necessary in case offailure of switch 360, or any part of the circuit would be in the “OFF”position. In a usage situation (possibly in the throes of an asthmaattack), the user need only press plunger hand grip 580 toward fixedfinger grip 555, activating “ON” button 370 of switch 360, therebycutting capsule 300 emptying medication into conventional nebulizingchamber 240 and then inhaling through mouthpiece 230. The action ofcutting capsule 300 simultaneously switches on the compressor withoutuse of manual switch 340 on compressor housing 311. The system is afault tolerant system, wherein if the circuit fails, override button 340will complete the circuit directly to motor 410, bypassing contacts 395of relay 380 thereby operating regardless of multiple failures of switch360, cable 365 or relay 380.

A locator light emitting indicator outlet 313 is optional to put a“night light” 315 therein. Outlet 313 is always “ON”. Holder 314 has aslot for engaging the end of flat blade plunger guide 250 as well as apartial round cutout to accommodate the curvature of cap 290, for easystorage of nebulizer opening assembly and inhaler therein.

The schematic diagram of FIG. 37 explains the operation and shows thephysical location of major components shown in FIGS. 34-36 since dashedline 311, in the schematic diagram of FIG. 37, shows the boundary ofcompressor housing 311. Transformer 385 supplies a low voltage Vs(typically a safe 12 or 24 volts) to operate relay 380 and indicatorlamp 345 which is always on as an indicator that transformer 385 isoperating on stand by energize relay coil 390 when switch 360 is on andthe circuit is complete. Note that actuation of switch 360 by action ofON button 370 would provide voltage Vs to relay coil 390 thereby causingnormally open relay contacts 395 to close thereby energizing compressormotor 410. In the unlikely event that operation is not initiated byattempted actuation of switch 360, manual switch 340 on compressorhousing 311 can be used to initiate operation since it is wired directlyto motor 410. Note that transformer 385 is continuously energized aslong as plug 320 is plugged-in so that the entire nebulizer system is ina quick-ready mode of operation at all times. Compressor 420 is drivenby motor 410 to supply air pressure to nebulizing chamber 240 to atomizemedication in a mist to the patient.

FIG. 38 shows a ninth embodiment for an auxiliary plug-in starting box800 for automatically starting the misting compressor motor 410 of aconventional compressor housing 310 of the nebulizer inhaler. Thisembodiment is a retrofit for a conventional compressor subassembly.

FIG. 39 is an electrical schematic diagram thereof. One outlet 802 isprovided for inserting the plug 320 from the nebulizer compressor motor410. The other outlet 803 is for a user insertable plug for a nightlight 815, to provide visual access in the dark. The backup emergencypress button 340 a will start the nebulizer compressor motor 410 ofconventional compressor housing 310 of FIG. 38 if the plunger 560 doesnot work. Green indicator light 345 indicates that the transformer 385for the compressor is “ON.” Nebulizer holder 314 is provided to holdplunger guide 550 therein. Plunger assembly 550 also includes switch 360with “ON” switch button 370 and “OFF” button 370 a such as is shown inFIGS. 35 and 36 and applicable herein. Switch 360 is activated uponcontact of button 370 by hand grip 580. Nebulizer plug 320 is energizedwhen either switch 360 or switch 340 a is closed. The system is a faulttolerant system—if the circuit fails, compressor manual switch 340 a isavailable to activate.

Two motor powered blade plunger subassembly versions as well as arelay-type control system are described in FIGS. 40-44.

FIG. 40 is a side view of lead screw version 850. Within housing 853 isDCPM motor 852 with output shaft gear 856 which is meshed with gear 857driving lead screw 858. Lead screw nut 859 is attached to a carriageplate 861 (see FIG. 41 for a top view) which rides in side grooves oflinear guide 860. The front end of plate 861 is formed into holder 863of blade 570. Limit switches 865 and 866 detect the permissible limitsof travel of carriage plate 861. Momentary or other “on/off” contactpushbutton 851 starts the automatic medication container cuttingprocedure.

Side view FIG. 42 and bottom view FIG. 43 show details of an alternateimplementation of powered blade plunger 900 using a rack and pinionmechanism instead of a lead screw. A low output speed gearmotor 902preferably incorporating a DCPM design powers the elements withinhousing 901. Grooved linear guide 903 guides carriage plate 910 withrack gear teeth 912 engaging motor pinion gear 915. The front end ofplate 910 is formed into holder 911 for blade 570. Edge 914 engageslimit switch 865 on its forward excursion initiating an automaticreversal of motor 902.

The control system for either implementation of powered blade plunger isdescribed by the control circuit of FIG. 44. This circuit can bestand-alone, or it can be integrated with the systems described in theschematic diagrams of FIGS. 37 and 39.

Power supply 950 supplies a low DC voltage (e.g. −6 to 12 volts)compatible with the relays and motor used. Pushbutton 851 is normallyopen. When pressed it supplies a short voltage pulse through capacitor952 (typically 0.05 ufd) which triggers the start of a timed outputpulse from single-shot timer block 954 (about 40-80 ms). Resistor 951(typically 500 k-ohms) simply bleeds off capacitor 952. Blocking diodes958 and 960 permit the use of a single relay driver 956 to drive twoseparate relays with feedback isolation. Relay 962 with two double polesingle throw contact pairs controls voltage applied to the motor and toa control relay 964 (same type) which initiates motor reversal at thelimit point after the medicine capsule is severed. Relays 962 and 964each use one set of contacts to latch up the relays after they areinitially turned on by driver 956. Relay 966 has a two pole-double throwconfiguration of contacts with both normally closed and normally opencontact pairs; this relay is used for motor reversal.

In operation, the first push of pushbutton 851 causes both relays 962and 964 to be energized through driver 956 and then kept latched onthrough relay contacts until one of the normally closed limit switchesin series with the contact pair opens signaling a limit had beenreached. In case of relay 962, shut down switch 866 will de-energize itscoil. In the case of relay 964 it is forward limit switch 865 thatde-energizes its coil to signal reversal of motor 852 or 902. When relay962 is first energized, it provides motor voltage immediately. Relay 964is simultaneously energized thereby supplying energizing voltage to thecoil of reversing relay 966 which makes the motor turn so as to moveforward. After the medicine vial is cut, limit switch 865 opens therebyde-energizing relay 964 which, in turn, turns off coil power to relay966 causing motor to reverse and drive to the starting position at limitswitch 866 causing system shutdown.

FIG. 45 shows the enlarged vertical storage chamber 1002 of embodiment1000 using a standard medication capsule 600 which may be inserted witheither end downward. A down tube 1018 supports breathing tube 520 andalso guides medication below into the nebulizing chamber. A plungerhousing 1006 with attached fixed finger rest guides plunger rod 1007within with finger grip plate 1009 attached. This embodiment uses directfinger/hand actuation to release medication from capsule 600. Cap 1012closes chamber 1002 using large diameter lock pin 1015 and smalldiameter lock pin 1016. The use of two different diameters makes itimpossible to lock cap 1012 in a different orientation. As an aid toproper alignment, indicia 1013 and 1014 on cap and chamber respectivelyare used. Reference numeral 1004 is a funnel collection region forcollection released medication and guiding it toward the nebulizingchamber.

FIG. 46 shows the inside of vertical storage chamber 1002. Base ring1024 attaches chamber 1002 to funnel 1004 with central hole 1020. Anextension 1025 is a bottom support for medication capsule 600 which endprotrudes through slot 1026. By making 1026 longer, both types ofmedication capsule can be accommodated, narrow 600 type or wider 700type. Vertical side cavity 1022 serves as an anvil support for the sideof a medication capsule 600 or 700. A side view crossection of cap 1012is shown in FIG. 47. It shows lock slots 1030 and 1031 to accept pins1016 and 1015 respectively. Conical member 1035 is attached via leafspring 1034 and is oriented so as to impinge on the top of themedication capsule when locked on, forcing it into the side recess 1022.

FIG. 48 shows a side interior view of assembly 1000. Note that thedistal end of plunger rod 1007 with blunt crusher head 1053 at itsdistal end, which receives a replaceable vertical blade 1041. Note alsothat capsule 600 is positioned at a slight angle within side anvilcavity 1022 by action of conical member 1035. When plunger rod 1007 isurged forward, blade 1041 will pierce capsule 600 at a low point andthen the blunt end of blunt crusher head 1053 will impinge on the sideof capsule 600, thereby opening the vertical slit caused by blade 1041,and thereby releasing medication.

While FIG. 48 shows a vertically oriented blade 1041, in alternateembodiments the blade can be oriented anywhere between a vertical and ahorizontal orientation (such as shown in FIGS. 17-44).

For example FIG. 48A shows a close-up detail view of an alternateembodiment for an obliquely oriented cutting blade located on a capsulecrusher head.

FIG. 48B shows a close-up detail view of a further alternate embodimentfor a multiple blade embodiment, such as, for example, an inverseV-shaped cutting blade located on a capsule crusher head. Othergeometric configurations for multi-blade embodiments can be used.

FIG. 49 shows an alternate embodiment using capsule 1050 which has aweakened region 1051 adjacent its lower end as pushed into storagechamber 1002. In this embodiment, no blade is used. Instead, bluntcrusher head 1053 is positioned to impact the side of capsule 1050 whenplunger rod 1047 is urged forward within housing 1046. To offermechanical advantage and permit whole hand operation, brackets 1055,1057 and central pivot 1059 support pliers grips 1060 and 1061 to urgeplunger rod 1047 forward. (This pliers assembly can also be used in anyof the plunger embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 17, 25, 29, 34, 38 or48 instead of direct actuation as shown.) As gas pressure rises withincapsule 1050, the weakened area will burst, thereby releasingmedication.

Since medication capsules 1050 can also be configured with the weakenedarea at the opposite end, FIGS. 50 and 51 contrast these twoimplementations showing capsule 1070 with a different weakened region1071 at the end opposite to that in capsule 1050.

In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions areused to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessarylimitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrationsdepicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms andillustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scopeof the present invention.

It is further known that other modifications may be made to the presentinvention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in theappended claims.

1. A semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer comprising: avertically extending housing having a nebulizer chamber containingmedication; an opening in a bottom of said housing to receive compressedair for nebulizing said medication; a breather above said nebulizerhousing joined to said housing through a connecting tube extendingvertically up from said housing for receiving nebulized medication; saidbreather having a mouthpiece for use by a patient to receive saidnebulized medication; apparatus for refilling said nebulizing chamberwith medication mounted on and above said breather; said apparatuscomprising a refilling tube containing a storage chamber aligned withsaid connecting tube for receiving a medication dosage capsule; meansfor severing said medication dosage capsule by slicing through a side ofsaid capsule while in said storage chamber for releasing medicationflowing by gravity into said nebulizing chamber; and said severing meanscomprising a cutting blade mounted on a distal end of a holder, saidholder driven by an electric motor, and a switch for initiatingoperation of said electric motor to advance said holder from an initialposition until said cutting blade severs said medication dosage capsule,allowing said medication to flow into said nebulizing chamber.
 2. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 1 in whichan opposite end of said holder is attached to a guide driven by a leadscrew, said electric motor arranged to rotate said lead screw.
 3. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 2 in whichsaid switch is a push button.
 4. The semi-automatic emergency medicationdose nebulizer of claim 3 having a first limit switch mounted to stopmovement of said holder after said medication dosage capsule is severed.5. The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 4having means to reverse movement of said holder after said first limitswitch is actuated.
 6. The semi-automatic emergency medication dosenebulizer of claim 5 having a second limit switch to terminate reversemovement of said holder after reaching said initial position.
 7. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 6 having acircuit to control operation of said electric motor, to rotate in onedirection to advance said holder by turning said lead screw in onedirection and to rotate in an opposite direction to retract said holderby turning said lead screw in an opposite direction.
 8. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 7 whereinsaid push button upon being pushed actuates a completely automatic cycleadvancing said holder to sever said medication dose capsule andreturning said holder to said initial position ready for a new cycleafter said medication dose capsule is replaced.
 9. The semi-automaticemergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 1 in which said electricmotor is a low output speed gearmotor.
 10. The semi-automatic emergencymedication dose nebulizer of claim 9 in which said gearmotor isconnected to drive a pinion gear engaged with a rack gear for advancingsaid holder.
 11. The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizerof claim 10 having a first limit switch for stopping said bolder aftersevering of said capsule and retracting holder.
 12. The semi-automaticemergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 11 having a second limitswitch to stop said holder during retraction at its initial position.13. A semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer comprising: avertically extending housing having a nebulizer chamber containingmedication; an opening in a bottom of said housing to receive compressedair for nebulizing said medication; a breather above said nebulizerhousing joined to said housing through a connecting tube extendingvertically up from said housing for receiving nebulized medication; saidbreather having a mouthpiece for use by a patient to receive saidnebulized medication; a storage chamber above and aligned with saidconnecting tube for receiving a medication dosage capsule; said storagechamber having a base support ring for securing a lower end of saidcapsule; said storage chamber having an upper opening with a removablecap; said removable cap having means for securing an upper end of saidcapsule along a side wall of said storage chamber when said cap is inplace; means for severing said medication dosage capsule by opening aside of said capsule while in said storage chamber for releasingmedication flowing by gravity into said nebulizing chamber; saidsevering means comprising a severing device mounted on a proximal end ofa horizontally extending plunger; and means for driving said plungertoward said capsule until said severing device opens said capsule,allowing said medication to flow into said nebulizing chamber.
 14. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 13 in whichsaid removable cap securing means comprises a spring loaded conicalmember mounted on an underside of said cap so that when said cap ispositioned to close the top opening of said storage chamber an edge ofsaid conical member pushes the upper end of said capsule against theside wall of said storage chamber.
 15. The semi-automatic emergencymedication dose nebulizer of claim 13 in which said means for drivingsaid plunger comprises a fixed finger/hand rest and a movablefinger/hand rest attached to a distal end of said plunger, wherebysqueezing said finger/hand rests together causes said plunger to advancetoward said capsule.
 16. The semi-automatic emergency medication dosenebulizer of claim 13 in which said means for driving said plungercomprises a pliers assembly for providing a mechanical advantage. 17.The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 16 inwhich said pliers assembly comprises a pair of pliers members havingdistal ends thereof attached to a fixed pivot bracket and a movablepivot bracket mounted on a distal end of said plunger, respectively, andpliers grips on proximate ends of said pliers members for exerting saidmechanical advantage in driving said plunger.
 18. A semi-automaticemergency medication dose nebulizer comprising: a vertically extendinghousing having a nebulizer chamber containing medication; an opening ina bottom of said housing to receive compressed air for nebulizing saidmedication; a breather above said nebulizer housing joined to saidhousing through a connecting tube extending vertically up from saidhousing for receiving nebulized medication; said breather having amouthpiece for use by a patient to receive said nebulized medication;apparatus for refilling said nebulizing chamber with medication mountedon and above said breather; said apparatus comprising a refilling tubecontaining a storage chamber aligned with said connecting tube forreceiving a medication dosage capsule; a cutter severing said medicationdosage capsule by slicing through a side of said capsule while in saidstorage chamber for releasing medication flowing by gravity into saidnebulizing chamber; said cutter comprising a cutting blade mounted on adistal end of a holder; and a plunger advancing said cutting blade. 19.The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 18 inwhich said cutter comprises a blade holder supporting an angularlyextending cutting blade.
 20. The semi-automatic emergency medicationdose nebulizer of claim 18 in which said cutter comprises a blade holdersupporting an angularly extending replaceable cutting blade.
 21. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 18 in whichsaid cutter comprises a blunt crusher head, said capsule bursting whensaid blunt crusher head comes in contact with said capsule.
 22. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 18 in whichsaid storage chamber includes means to accommodate multiple sizes ofcapsules.
 23. The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer ofclaim 18 having means to insure that said cap is always locked in placein a proper orientation.
 24. The semi-automatic emergency medicationdose nebulizer of claim 23 in which a pair of oppositely facing lockpins of different diameter are mounted inside of said storage chamberadjacent said upper opening, and said cap has a pair of mating pinslots.
 25. The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer ofclaim 18 wherein activation of said cutter also activates a switchactivating said apparatus for refilling said nebulizing chamber.
 26. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose chamber as in claim 25 furthercomprising an indicator light is added to indicate standby mode whereina cable connector is engaged, power is on, but said switch is in the OFFposition.
 27. The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer ofclaim 26 in which said light emitter is a green light emitting diode(LED)
 28. The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer ofclaim 19 wherein said angular orientation of said blade is horizontal.29. The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 19wherein said angular orientation of said blade is oblique.
 30. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer of claim 19 whereinsaid angular orientation of said blade is vertical.
 31. Thesemi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer as in claim 19further comprising at least one additional angularly oriented blade. 32.The semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer comprising: avertically extending housing having a nebulizer chamber containingmedication; an opening in a bottom of said housing to receive compressedair for nebulizing said medication; a breather above said nebulizerhousing joined to said housing through a connecting tube extendingvertically up from said housing for receiving nebulized medication; saidbreather having a mouthpiece for use by a patient to receive saidnebulized medication; apparatus for refilling said nebulizing chamberwith medication mounted on and above said breather; said apparatuscomprising a refilling tube containing a storage chamber aligned withsaid connecting tube for receiving a medication dosage capsule; meansfor severing said medication dosage capsule by slicing through a side ofsaid capsule while in said storage chamber for releasing medicationflowing by gravity into said nebulizing chamber; said severing meanscomprising a cutting blade mounted on a distal end of a holder; and aplunger advancing said cutting blade, said plunger having at least oneorientation guide for guiding said plunger in a preferred orientationwithin a plunger guide.
 33. A semi-automatic emergency medication dosenebulizer comprising: a vertically extending housing having a nebulizerchamber containing medication; an opening in a bottom of said housing toreceive compressed air for nebulizing said medication; a breather abovesaid nebulizer housing joined to said housing through a connecting tubeextending vertically up from said housing for receiving nebulizedmedication; said breather having a mouthpiece for use by a patient toreceive said nebulized medication; apparatus for refilling saidnebulizing chamber with medication mounted on and above said breather;said apparatus comprising a refilling tube containing a storage chamberaligned with said connecting tube for receiving a medication dosagecapsule; means for severing said medication dosage capsule by slicingthrough a side of said capsule while in said storage chamber forreleasing medication flowing by gravity into said nebulizing chamber;and, a capsule orientation guide, said capsule orientation guideincluding a cap having a capsule retaining member associated withvisually perceptible indicia indicating to a user the presence of acapsule in position for severance by said blade.
 34. A semi-automaticemergency medication dose nebulizer comprising: a vertically extendinghousing having a nebulizer chamber containing medication; an opening ina bottom of said housing to receive compressed air for nebulizing saidmedication; a breather above said nebulizer housing joined to saidhousing through a connecting tube extending vertically up from saidhousing for receiving nebulized medication; said breather having amouthpiece for use by a patient to receive said nebulized medication;apparatus for refilling said nebulizing chamber with medication mountedon and above said breather; said apparatus comprising a refilling tubecontaining a storage chamber aligned with said connecting tube forreceiving a medication dosage capsule having a weakened area; means foropening said medication dosage capsule while in said storage chamber forreleasing medication flowing by gravity into said nebulizing chamber inwhich said opening means comprises a blunt crusher head, said weakenedarea of said capsule bursting open when pressure builds up within saidcapsule when said blunt crusher head comes in contact with said capsuleand forces open said weakened capsule.